From Deseret News archives:
Term limits with twist
GOP activist seeks 'voluntary pledge' on Utah ballots
Monday, GOP activist Mark Towner said he soon will file an initiative with the state Elections Office that would if passed by residents in the November election give candidates for Congress and top state offices the opportunity to list on the ballot next to their names whether they pledge to self-limit their terms in office.
Meanwhile, Bart Grant, head of Utah Term Limits, said he supports Towner's efforts even as his own "strict term limit" initiative petition fails to make it on the 2004 general election ballot.
"Right now, I'd have to say it won't make it," said Grant, who filed his own citizen initiative petition last March.
Unlike Towner's, Grant's would be a law banning an incumbent from seeking another term after a set time in office.
"I don't have the financial resources to gather all the signatures I need" to get the proposed law on the ballot, admitted Grant.
Unlike 1994, when Grant and other supporters got a term-limit law on the ballot, the national group U.S. Term Limits is not financially backing his effort this year, Grant said. "There's always hope, but it doesn't look good," he said.
For you see, not only did the 2003 Legislature two hours before adjournment repeal the old 12-year term-limit law, it also drastically changed the citizen initiative petition statute, making it harder, most agree, for someone to get a law adopted at the polls.
That citizen initiative petition law is now before the Utah Supreme Court, with opponents saying it is unconstitutionally prohibitive to residents who want to bypass the 104-member Legislature and pass a law directly.
In any case, Towner said, "it only makes sense" to allow voters to see on the ballot who has promised to self-limit their own terms by retiring from office after a certain time.
"It is really a question of whether we want citizens" in top state and congressional posts "or whether we want career politicians," he said.
Comments
- 4A: Thunderbirds dynasty lives on 9:39 p.m.
- Utah Utes basketball at a glance 9:34 p.m.
- BYU basketball at a glance 9:33 p.m.
- Utes face stiff test in opener 9:30 p.m.
- Cougars ready for veteran opponent 9:22 p.m.
- Historically, Utes have owned TCU 9:20 p.m.
- Unga family is making its mark 9:18 p.m.
- Jazz not putting in effort 9:17 p.m.
- Selfishness to blame for Jazz woes? 9:15 p.m.
- Fatal crash on I-15 in Cedar City 9:08 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
335 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
318 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
139 - Will state consider gay rights law?
137 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
118
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
Not this year buddy. TCU will own the Utes.
Thurl i just saw you in person lol you went to my brothers school, Riverview...
Actually, ASU offered Collinsworth and wanted him very badly. So the score is...
It would be interesting to know how religiosity modifies the results if at...
GO TIMPVIEW 38-21!! I Guess trash talk only gets you so far..
Even the TDS fans can appreciate this. I think a mountain west team has been...
Got me there :) Dr shortage in Japan. They still have the option of opening...
The concept is too crazy to deserve comment.
Over-rated. The fact that the y was ever rated in the top 20 this or last...
Any coach can tell you that there is something to be said about having your...


You can be the first to comment on this story.